Confessions of a Non-Facebooker
Posted on April 1, 2013 5 Comments
Hi, my name is Gina, and I don’t Facebook.
It’s okay that you’re staring–I understand that you probably haven’t seen anyone like me before. You wonder if I have any friends at all, and how I can possibly stay updated with life. You probably even feel a twinge of sadness for me at the normal life that I am missing out on.
It’s interesting that every single time any person shows me something on their Facebook page, they apologize for or verbally dismiss whatever we see by default on their home page due to their friended people’s posts. And then they make a quick disparaging comment about that person before moving on to what they originally wanted to show me. What they end up sharing with me really is ultimately cool. Other people share cool stuff directly with me in personalized emails and texts, to which I say thank you. You know who you are.
It amazes me how much talk is generated daily around Facebook. Mainstream culture lives off of who posted what, who got left out, who got unfriended, whose friend request went unanswered, and did you see who is on whose friends list?!? We speculate about how could this friend have posted that, when we were with them at the time and that’s not at all how it happened. Two people talk in front of me routinely about a third person: they are very concerned with each other about their common friend through her posts, yet neither has actually talked to her–nor are they planning to. Others openly speak of their evening plans to lurk around while remaining silent online, just to see what other people are up to–like a social media ninja detective. Later they freely report about what others are up to, to whomever is around. All of this is coming from otherwise rational adults. Don’t get me started on what I see with teenagers.
Periodically I question myself, and think maybe I should instead focus on the good and give it a try. I do believe that there are higher-vibrational uses of Facebook, and participating in that manner I could get on board with. You know, spread the goodness and together we can turn the tide. Invariably, some Facebook incident happens that I hear about either directly or indirectly, the next day. I am not kidding. I’ve even tested this. (See E-Squared!)
The Cosmos knows what I need…and what I don’t. Maybe I’m not strong enough for Facebook yet, to let it wash through me and remain unchanged. Maybe I’m actually stronger than that, not needing to overcome it in the first place. Either way, I do know that now is not my time for it. And I still have friends.
Only a cavewoman doesn’t Facebook.
Related articles
- Why I’m Not On Facebook (merriamuk.wordpress.com)
- True Life: I Had To Block, Unfriend Or Delete My Friends Or Family (madamenoire.com)
- “Confessions” on Facebook Wreaking Havoc at Schools (lorrainedauphinee.com)
To Heaven and Back
Posted on March 28, 2013 Leave a Comment
To Heaven and Back, by Mary C. Neal, MD, is a beautiful “extraordinary account of her death, Heaven, angels, and life again.”
Although pretty spectacular in and of itself, the author’s death experience is not the only facet to this book. Dr. Neal relates events from her childhood through life past that singular death event, how they all intertwine for her, and how that relates to each of us. She writes in a flowing, easily read manner that is about what she has to say and not about who is saying it. You will not be disappointed when you are not reading specifically about her death experience, which is why you picked it up in the first place!
Her writing and message transcend occupations and lifestyles, instead directly accessing hope, joy, and love. The book is about each of our personal spiritual journeys. Our journey encompasses this life and crosses over into the next, she shows that the two are not at all separate.
My dear friend Wendy loaned me her copy, and because I trust her book recommendations implicitly I gave it a shot. It was one of those deals where I didn’t really have the time, and I kind of forced myself to start it–and found I absolutely could not put it down! I did have to set it aside and breathe a little throughout reading, giving my spirit the chance to absorb such beauty. It is more profound than heavy, as it is incredibly supportive and uplifting in such a strong and gentle way without weighing down the reader.
The back of the book tells me that the author made the national media circuit with this book, and I am disappointed I missed that! I’m going to search Google and YouTube to see if I can find those clips on the Internet. After reading her story, I’m interested to see and hear her talk about it!
Activate Your Goodness
Posted on March 23, 2013 Leave a Comment
English: Israeli-American businesswoman Shari Arison עברית: תמונה של שרי אריסון. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Activate Your Goodness: Transforming the World by Doing Good by Shari Arison is based on the premise of “think good, speak good, do good.” This philosophy is explored at all its levels: individual, family and friends, community, country, humanity, and planet. The idea that thinking, speaking, and doing good is a concept that works personally as well as in business is also discussed. I especially like that she says “doing good is good business”–and as a hugely successful businesswoman, she has the credentials to prove this! In addition to her business success, she has created the annual International Good Deeds Day, as well as the internet Gateway to Doing Good–www.goodnet.org.
Simply by reading this book my goodness began to accidentally get activated, as I find myself with the concept running through my head like a mantra. It is easier to catch my thoughts and redirect them because this book specifies my awareness. It is easier to remember in the moment to speak consciously as well, as this book focuses application of the concepts. And, I find myself following through on ideas rather than remaining in the “wouldn’t this be great to do” phase, again because of heightened understanding of the process and choice of activating goodness. That’s a triple threat to insidious negativity within everyday living, woo-hoo!
I encourage you to pick up this book! It is a quick read that flows well. One individual activating their goodness could just be the tipping point for all of humanity, and even if you are already on that path this book will help you take it to the next level in a subtle and personal way that greatly affects all.
I received this book from Hay House in exchange for my honest opinion of it, for goodness’ sake!
Promptly Writing
Posted on March 20, 2013 3 Comments
In our community electric co-op’s monthly newsletter is a section of want ads. Today I read one that absolutely stopped me in my tracks for its sheer creative writing potential. There’s a story in here. Heck, there are a thousand stories in here.
What’s yours?
WANTED TO BUY: Steel fence posts and a double barrel shotgun.
Photo courtesy of Focus West Gallery
Grace Under Attack Forges A Warrior
Posted on March 17, 2013 2 Comments
Just as I was going to bed last night I got a phone call. The woman on the other end called me by name, gushed about how it’s been ten long years since she’s been in town, and when she finally identified herself I still was fuzzy on why I was getting this call. Then she asks to speak to my son Joe.
I don’t have a son Joe.
It turns out she is looking for the school-aged son of my ex’s current wife, and thinks he might live here. (What?!?) Additionally, she is calling on behalf of the church we escaped from last year. Then she shares how much my neighbor really hates me. Because I got divorced. (Yes, all those actual words were used. It’s also been over 8 years.) I am not making any of this up.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation of balancing grace with defending your boundaries? Here’s how my internal conversation went:
Grace: Okay, this woman is a little off-kilter, let’s be understanding and just end this conversation.
Warrior: This is an invasion. I need to protect and defend. Now.
Grace: Well yes, but let’s give her the benefit of the doubt, she probably feels pretty awkward and is looking for an escape.
Warrior: I don’t care, she Just. Keeps. Going. I’ve had enough, and she needs to stop. Now.
Grace: You’re doing a great job keeping in check, I keep politely shutting her down, I’m sure she’ll bow out now. Okay, maybe now. Hmm, likely now? Wait–no way: is she really talking about and asking after my kids…?!
Warrior: That’s it–out of my way.
Grace: Here’s your sword.
At this point in the conversation Warrior bluntly said that I am not discussing my family, and that this conversation was over. The woman on the phone finally got the message, apologized for bothering me, and Grace was able to not hang up in her face.
It is not a question of either being kind or defending your boundaries, the two are the same. Grace reminds the Warrior that a sword can point as well as chop.
gina drellack 